Grizzlies vs. Blazers – NBA Pick For November 7th

by Kevin Roberts
on November 7, 2017

The weekend was not kind to us when it came to our daily NBA picks. The New Orleans Pelicans won by six when we needed them to win by 7+, while the Utah Jazz couldn’t make it a game in Houston against the Rockets.

That collectively produced an 0-2 stretch over the weekend, effectively ending a staggering 14-game winning streak we’d pieced together. After a hiatus on Monday, we still enter Tuesday night’s NBA schedule with a healthy 14-3-1 record on the year.

It’s back to the winning path we go, however, as we get a fat 10-game slate and plenty of solid chances to get a win. One such opportunity exists in Portland, where we catch a battle between the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers.

The two Western Conference foes will wage war for the first time this year, as Portland hopes to nurse a solid 4-2 start at the Moda Center. Both teams enter tonight’s tilt at 6-4 and will want to get their 7th win of the young season.

There is value to be had on both sides, as Bovada opens this one up with a mild -3 spread in favor of the Blazers. Portland carries solid value at home at -150, as well, while Memphis brings some upside as +130 underdogs.

What’s the right angle to take? Let’s break this one down to find out:

Memphis Grizzlies (+130)

VS

Portland Trail Blazers (-150)

Total: 201

The Grizzlies take it to the road tonight in a pretty tight matchup that Vegas is calling close to the chest. While this could be a tough one to peg, it’s still one that offers some grind-it-out value, either way, we shake it.

Memphis is the understandable underdog going into Tuesday, as the Grizz are just 2-2 on the road to start the season. The Grizzlies have also not fared particularly well in this series, going 1-2 against Portland last year and losing three of the last four meetings.

This has traditionally been a fairly well-fought matchup, but it’s easy to see why it now plays into Portland’s hands more than ever.

For one, the Blazers are habitually a tough out at the Moda Center. Portland is already 4-2 on their home floor this year and with their style of play changing more this year, they now are equipped to handle a defensive-minded Memphis team.

Jusuf Nurkic has played a huge hand in piecing together the NBA’s 4th most efficient defense. Normally known for their offensive explosiveness, the Blazers now have the ability to run and gun, but can also slow thing down and grind opponents on both ends of the floor.

Nurkic gives Marc Gasol a tough assignment at both ends of the court, while Mike Conley can’t keep tabs on both Damian Lillard and C.J. McCullum. One of those two guards (and perhaps both) are bound to sound off in this matchup, while the Grizzlies arguably don’t have the offensive firepower beyond Conley and Gasol to really win a shooting war.

The beauty for Portland is that no longer has to be how they win these types of games, however. Portland still has a solid pace (17th) and can light defenses up from outside, but their physical play defensively can also help them in gritty battles with teams like the Grizzlies.

Memphis is always a team to look out for, but this matchup tells us four things; the Grizz haven’t been great on the road, Portland has the upper hand in the series, Nurkic gives Gasol an obstacle and the Blazers have the defense to contend in this showdown.

Oh, and this is all going down at the Moda Center, where the Blazers tend to play their best ball. Memphis does offer a little value here and they’re viable, but it’s always fun to bet on the Blazers at home. When logic points to a Portland win, it’s almost silly to pass them up.